DirecTV Drops G4, Geeks Rejoice

Throughout October, negotiations between Cablevision, Dish Network, and Fox dragged out incessantly, leaving millions without The Simpsons, Louie reruns, Jets games, and World Series coverage. Showing no mercy, Fox even briefly pulled its shows off Hulu. But an agreement was finally reached this weekend -- however unamiably -- and programming has been restored.

Unfortunately for fans of Attack of the Show and Web Soup, the same can't be said for DirecTV's position on the tech and gaming network G4.

Despite ongoing talks between the satellite service and the Comcast-owned channel, G4 has been dropped from the cable lineup. A DirecTV representative toldEntertainment Weekly via email, "At this time we are no longer negotiating and we have no plans to put G4 back up."

Adding, "We are constantly evaluating our lineup in a new world where programming costs continue to rise at significant rates. Since G4 is among the lowest rated networks based on the latest Nielsen data, we decided that it made sense to focus on preserving programming that is more relevant to our larger customer base."

In response, G4 released a statement: "We have been trying to engage DirecTV in fair and reasonable discussions to continue to carry G4. G4 offered DirecTV the same basic deal we have had for the past three years. However they still plan to drop the network and deny G4 fans the only network that focuses on the popular gaming lifestyle."

It's always a bummer when niche programming gets taken out in favor of watered-down content. But judging from the reactions of hardcore tech fans, it would seem that G4 had already done that. Reading through the comment section on Consumerist's coverage of the report, very few people will be shedding a tear over the loss of G4.

Referring to the popular TechTV shows that were canceled once Comcast took over the network, one reader writes, "I'll never forgive G4 for what they did to my TechTV!"

Another commenter is even less forgiving for the marathons of Cops and Cheaters. "G4 is to gaming what MTV is to music. Several minutes of actually 'core' programing and the rest is just mindless, boring filler." Very reminiscent of how the Sci-Fi Channel dropped MST3K for wrestling and airings of Braveheart.

This might be a victory for devout tech fans, but what do geeks have left to watch on cable? The History Channel is more UFO than Hitler, A&E dropped both the art and entertainment, Cartoon Network no longer shows Warner Bros. cartoons, and the less said about SyFy, the better.